That such is the plain unglamoured view of the procedure is shown by the age at which the object is adopted.

Usually the future son or daughter enters the adoptive household as an infant, intentionally so on the part of the would-be parents.

His ignorance of a previous relationship largely increases his relative value; for the possibility of his making comparisons in his own mind between a former state of existence and the present one unfavorable to the latter is not pleasant for the adopters to contemplate.

He is therefore acquired young.

The amusement derived from his company is thus seen to be distinctly paramount to all other considerations.